The second edition of the Animal Honours Awards was held this week, where people and animals were awarded from the hundreds of nominations received, a government statement said.
It was an opportunity to not only celebrate the creatures that are human’s friends, but also to recognise the people who are involved on a daily basis in relation to the protection of animals.
Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Animal Rights Anton Refalo said that, “as a Ministry we will continue to work hand in hand with the management of many sanctuaries, with all the volunteers in this field and with all the professionals so that we can continue to reach the main goal, that we look after, in an appropriate way, the rights of animals and even strengthen the infrastructure for many animals that are abandoned or abused.”
The Commissioner for Animal Protection Alison Bezzina reiterated that these awards recognise the work of volunteers and animals and continue to raise the animal protection sector on the national agenda of Malta and Gozo.
“To see that animal protection reaches this peak in the national agenda is the ultimate goal of my office, and mine as commissioner for animal protection,” she added.
In this second edition of the Animal Honours Awards there were 454 nominations for 12 categories.
This year’s winners were:
Animals in Uniform Award – Ilio
Adopted Pet of the Year – Stevey
Smartest Animal Award – Whitey
Most Popular Companion Animal Award – Jojo, Mimi & Bianca
Farm Animal Award – Pawla
Shelter Animal Most Deserving of a Home – Winston
Most Popular Veterinarian Award – Dr. Martha Mifsud
Most Popular Farmer Award – Marilyn Gatt
Most Popular Volunteer Award – Christa Cilia
Most Popular Educator Award – Sharon Scerri
Most Popular Local Council – Mosta Local Council
Most Popular Animal Friendly Establishment – Balzan FC
The following Special Awards were also given:
Special Award of the Director in the Animal Protection Directorate, Patricia Azzopardi – Vincent Ciantar
Special Award of the Commissioner for Animal Protection, Alison Bezzina- Elliot Magro, Police Inspector
Special Award of the Permanent Secretary, Sharlo Camilleri – Dr. Josianne Williams
Special Award of the Parliamentary Secretary, Alicia Bugeja Said – Maria Damato
Special Award of Minister Anton Refalo – Maxine Borg.
In comments on Facebook, the Animal Welfare Commissioner Alison Bezzina said that people who love animals do not care for them to be rewarded. They help animals because seeing their most innocent friends get the care they deserve is all the reward they need.
However, as with everything else in life, a sign of appreciation can go a long way, not only to encourage people to keep fighting what is, many a time, an emotional rollercoaster, but also (and perhaps more importantly) to give the animal welfare sector the voice that it deserves - to help it achieve a higher position on the country's national agenda.
When a sector, any sector, is close to the top of a country's national agenda, it gets more resources, attention, and action from the country's authorities and administration. Achieving this has always been my ultimate aim and I will either get there or die trying.